Press Release: Copyright reform: promote cultural diversity and ensure access to it, say MEPs

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 09.07.15
Publication Date 09/07/2015
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The main European Union instrument providing a legal framework for copyright is the 2001 Copyright Directive. In May 2015, the European Commission unveiled its plans to create a Digital Single Market, aiming in this respect to present legislative proposals reducing the differences between national copyright regimes and allowing for wider online access, including through further harmonisation measures. Reactions from stakeholders were mixed. In this context, the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs undertook the preparation of an own initiative report, which was voted in plenary on the 9 July 2015.

The European Parliament approved on 9 July 2015 a non-binding resolution regarding the proposed reform of EU copyright laws.

The text of the resolutions suggests that any forthcoming proposal on copyright reform must ensure a fair balance between the rights and interests of both creators and consumers.

MEPs called for ways to improve access to online content across borders, while recognising the importance of territorial licences, particularly for TV and film productions.

A week later, digital commissioner Günther Oettinger stated he was assessing the success of Spain's so-called 'Google Tax' to incorporate it in a future law proposal on copyright. It was not the first time Mr Oettinger spoke of a EU-wide Google Tax, as you can check by clicking here.

The European Commission was scheduled to table a proposal by the end of 2015 to modernise EU copyright law to make it fit for the digital age.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20150703IPR73903/
Related Links
ESO: Background information: EU copyright reform must balance rightholders’ and users’ interests, say MEPs http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-copyright-reform-must-balance-rightholders-and-users-interests-say-meps/
European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 08.07.15: Copyright 2.0: why existing rules need an update to make them fit for the digital age http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20150706STO74829/
European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 02.07.15: Debate: should the freedom of panorama be introduced all over the EU? http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20150701STO72903/
Wikipedia: Freedom of panorama https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_panorama
Euronews, 08.07.15: The bitter fight for Freedom of Panorama http://www.euronews.com/2015/07/08/fight-for-freedom-of-panorama-savepos-wikipedia/
Blog: Julia Reda, 09.07.15: EU parliament defends Freedom of Panorama & calls for copyright reform https://juliareda.eu/2015/07/eu-parliament-defends-freedom-of-panorama-calls-for-copyright-reform/
The Guardian, 03.07.15: If you want to keep sharing photos for free, read this http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/03/sharing-photos-freedom-of-panorama
EUObserver, 10.07.15: EP adopts 'watered down' copyright report https://euobserver.com/connected/129577
European Commission: The EU Single Market: Consultations: 2013: Review of the EU copyright rule http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/consultations/2013/copyright-rules/index_en.htm
EurActiv, 09.07.15: Copyright: MEPs ditch plans for Google Tax, tourist photo ban http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/copyright-meps-ditch-plans-google-tax-tourist-photo-ban-316177
EurActiv, 12.02.16: Commission still undecided on ‘Google tax’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/commission-still-undecided-on-google-tax/

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